March 2011 Classic Trucks Letters – Postage Paid

Do you know of a truck parts supplier that I can contact regarding a ’55 Ford F-600? I’ve subscribed to your magazine and searched for possible contacts, but I have not found anything yet.

Your help would be appreciated.

Vic

Not being in the know regarding “big” trucks the only two places that come to mind when it comes to classic Ford commercial trucks and farm tractors are Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts at www.dennis-carpenter.com and Hagen’s Hiway Auto Parts at www.hagensautoparts.com. Though it’s not a huge list, hopefully they can be of service to you. Best of luck in both your parts search and your restoration project.

Riz

I enjoyed your Driver’s Seat musings in the December issue of Classic Trucks. Mice must like ’60s GM cars as I had the very same experience with our ’60 Chevy Bel Air mild custom. I went to get the car out for the summer cruises after its wintertime sleep (we live in western Michigan) and detail it a little, and lo and behold the spare tire was full of a mice nest. I’m talking the whole underside of the wheel was full of seat stuffing, grass, and all kinds of stuff-6 inches deep and 14 inches across. My wife and I cleaned all that out and were trying to determine the really ugly smell in the car. Obviously something had died in there. My wife went to dust the dash and clean the windshield, and when she lowered the passenger-side sunvisor there was a hole chewed through the headliner. The little buggers had gotten up there and made a mess. I aired up the tires, checked all the fluid levels, and thought I would roll down all the windows and go for a ride to air out the car. The next thing I knew I had white seat stuffing, seeds, grass, and mouse turds blowing all over me coming from the driver-side fresh air vent. What a bummer! I came home after only a couple miles and vacuumed everything out as best I could but every so often I still get the fluffy stuffing coming out of the vent. They must have had a heck of a nest built in there. It took most of the summer to get rid of the smell. I finally found that a couple of open cans of coffee grounds did the best by setting them in the car when not driving it. Suggestion: Could you pose our “problem” to your readership for some suggestions concerning storing your ride for winter months? I have always covered my car, and have been told not to do that because the little guys like the dark. I have also left my sunvisors in the up position and that seems to be a no-no since the mice like to get up there, again, where they feel safe. I know one thing I am not going to do anymore is put poison around out in the garage and shop, since they will eat the stuff, go back to their nest, and kick the bucket. In an effort to keep ’em out I’ve put the mothballs in along with Irish Spring soap and anticling dryer sheets, and this still didn’t seem to help. Is there any other deterrent that other truckers/rodders have used with success?

Anyway, I enjoy reading the magazine, especially the tech articles and maybe one day I’ll get my ’75 Chevy shortside/Fleetside truck on the road.

Bill and Shirley Hyatt

It’s amazing what damage those little critters can do in a short amount of time, isn’t it? I’ve always gone with the bowl of moth balls route and either it worked for me or I was just plain lucky.

How about it folks, anyone have an idea of what really works for keeping the critters at bay when storing a classic truck or car? If so, share it with the rest of us mouseketeers!

Riz

In the November ’10 issue of CLASSIC TRUCKS in your article covering the Goodguys 13th Colorado Nationals picture 12 of a closed-cab ’34 Ford you said: “Though they’re out-of-bounds yearwise for full coverage in CLASSIC TRUCKS (don’t ask me why …).” I know it says don’t ask, but I would like to know! The name of the magazine is CLASSIC TRUCKS not Classic Trucks from 1950-1972 or some such thing. I subscribed to your magazine quite a few years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve learned quite a bit for my project, which has just started serious work-a ’34 Dodge humpback sedan delivery that is getting the full treatment, including a Ram SRT10 (Viper) powertrain. I’m disappointed to see what you wrote. But, my real question is why? Why limit to any model years? If it’s a cool classic truck, then why not run the story no matter what the year?

Thanks for listening, and I hope you, or whoever sets the policy, changes their mind.

Charlie Brown II

First of all I’m happy CT has been helpful and entertaining for you. As far as the year break is concerned, it’s an unwritten rule that’s been around for years. I think it’s so the pre-’40 trucks are saved for sister publications like STREET RODDER and Rod & Custom. Though, I do occasionally forget about the rule and let an earlier year truck into an issue now and then-but don’t tell the boss.

Keep me in the loop as to your progress on the panel; I’d love to see it when it’s complete.

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